Data copying system, data copying apparatus and data copying method

Abstract

A data copying system of the present invention includes a data copying apparatus for copying data recorded on a first recording medium to a second recording medium. The data copying apparatus includes: a data read section for reading out the data from the first recording medium; a data modification control section for controlling modification of the data in accordance with modification control information, the modification control information being provided for controlling the modification of the data; and a data write section for writing an output of the data modification control section to the second recording medium. The modification control information includes a copying permission flag indicating whether the copying of the data permitted, a quality control flag for controlling a quality of modified data which is obtained by modifying the data, and a billing control flag for controlling billing for the copying of the data. The data modification control section determines whether billing is required for the copying of the data in accordance with the billing control flag. When the billing is required, the data modification control section controls the modification of the data in accordance with the copying permission flag and the quality control flag, after confirming that the billing has been done by the billing apparatus. When the billing is not required, the data modification control section controls the modification of the data in accordance with the copying permission flag and the quality control flag, without confirming that the billing has been done by the billing apparatus.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a data copying system, data copying device and data copying method with a copyright protection function for copying digital data such as music data. Background technique [0002] Generally, high-quality video and sound data are recorded / reproduced by using a special device for digitally recording / reproducing video and sound data to / from a recording medium. Media for recording digital data include Laser Disc (LD), Compact Disc (CD), Mini Disc (MD) and Digital Versatile Disc (DVD). [0003] Such a digital data recording medium, unlike analog data recording media such as (compact) magnetic tapes and VHS tapes, is characterized in that the quality of recorded data is rarely deteriorated by copying. In other words, digital data is easier to record / reproduce accurately than analog data. As long as the same data as the digital data stored in the original recording medium is written to a duplicate recording medium, the qualit...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0004] However, a user of an apparatus for recording / reproducing a digital data recording medium may copy a commercially sold recording medium on which video data, music data, etc. are recorded, thereby violating the copyright of the copyright holder of the recorded data.

In view of this, such an apparatus for recording / reproducing a digital data recording medium is provided with a function of restricting copying of a recording medium

For example, when copying music data from a CD to an MD, the device degrades the quality of the music data, thereby restricting such copying and protecting the copyright on the music data

[0005] However, if the device is designed to always degrade the sound quality of the music data being copied, the music data cannot be copied with high quality even when the copyright holder permits the copying of the music data

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